Today's entry is dedicated to the memory of my uncle, John Michael Johnson, who passed away April 5, 2009 at the age of 45.
John was the youngest of four siblings of my mother's parents. He lived almost all of his life in the South Bend, Indiana area. John and I were close growing up, as he was just 2-1/2 years older than me. He would come visit our family along with his parents, so we had plenty of good times together. I looked up to him like an older brother.
John's life was the theater. As a young teen, he learned to play piano and developed a beautiful voice. In his late teens, he sang and danced in musicals around the South Bend area. This love of theater eventually led him to directing numerous productions in the South Bend and Elkhart Civic Theatres.
Most anyone who knew John would tell you of his kind and caring spirit. Out of genuine concern he would ask how things were going, and how you felt about life.
I was fortunate to have had a nice visit with John in the hospital the weekend before his death. I thank God that my mother and I were granted this last time together with John. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
